I will make additional comments about the sound characteristics when I have more time. The data given should provide a very clear view as to how these amplifiers perform with these particular speakers.

I'm too busy burning the candle at both ends for that! Now I have added the new NFX speakers into the mix as the DFR-8 drivers will arrive tomorrow and these speakers will begin break-in procedures in preparation for review.

My new CSP2 arrives in the afternoon as well and this too becomes part of the process as it will play an integral part of the evaluation with its contribution.

Here we go again. Never a dull moment around here! It's a rough task but someoneís got to do it. (Insert pity here)

Anyway, I hope that someone out there is interested in reading about these as the review will be posted here when finished. I try to avoid time tables, especially when it is non-profit. When its done, its done.

I have finished listening to and evaluating the RL-3's, the MG944's,the DM944 bookshelf speakers, and a special set of prototype cabinets with Fostex drivers for which i have focused upon the majority of the duration.

When the time is right, my thoughts will be put into writing and this will all be posted here. I can give you some advance insight being that there has been some very positive and fascinating results coming out of all this. It has been a tremendous learning experience and one that has been very worth while. There is still a long way to go but at least for now, I'm sifting my way through the discovery process. I have a feeling that by the time I finish, it will turn into a short novel and may be the remedy for insomnia.

The HDT models will make their way into the loop during the final phase and that includes both versions of cabinet designs.

As it has been suggested by others to couple the new CSP2 with the Taboo amplifier, curiosity got the best of me and this I had to try. I am now listening to this combination with the older version Taboo at full volume and the CSP2 interfaced for refined gain control.

I had a Mullard GZ34 (5AR4) rectifier which is coded from the highly regarded Blackburn plant sitting here which had not been listened to as of yet. This tube was labeled for Amperex and has the "Bugle Boy" cartoon insignia printed on it. This seemed to be the appropriate time to test this out as well. The driver tube is an RCA 12AX7 as before and the power tubes are the Russian military types as used in previous evaluations.

This is the Mullard GZ34 in use now.

This combination was just fired up and will take a bit of playing time to warm up to full potential. In cold start-up condition for both units, the sound is quite good and will even get better as these components reach full operating temperature. This should be interesting to discover whether or not there actually is an improvement to be had with the preamplifier in the loop.

Here is the CSP2 used to drive the Taboo. The rectifier tube shown is an RCA ST style 5U4G. †The RCA is a great performer and was used while driving the SV83M Dual-Core mono-blocks. The trio of signal tubes are a matched set of Ei Elite 6DJ8EG (gold pin).

The new ZP3 phono stage will arrive in a few weeks. The ZP3 will be added to this combination to evaluate what this does for the sound of vinyl. At this time, the source is the Dec685 with tubed DAC stage.

I am currently evaluating this set-up driving the extremely detailed NFX "open baffle" design speakers with the DFR-8 drivers.